Entry requirement · South Africa passport

United Arab Emirates visa for South African citizens

Passport

South Africa

Destination

United Arab Emirates

South Africa passport holders need a visa for the United Arab Emirates, and it can be applied for online as an e-Visa.

Answer e-Visa

Yes, an e-Visa is required

Entry requirement: e-Visa
Maximum stay: Set by the visa
Apply before travel: Yes
Last updated: February 2026

How to apply

Checked November 2026

⚠️ The UAE government portal advises checking that travel agents are genuine before paying or sending documents, and offers verification through UAE embassies. Use only the official links below.

Official route

UAE tourist visa / entry permit (applied online via ICP or GDRFA Dubai, or through a UAE airline, hotel or licensed agent); also a 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa

Fee: Varies by visa type and issuing channel
Valid for: Depends on type; 5-year multiple-entry option available to all nationalities
Stay: Short-term visas per permit; the 5-year visa allows 90 days per visit, extendable once by 90 days
Processing: Varies by channel
Apply: Must be issued before travel (UAE embassies do not issue tourist visas)

Official site →

At the border

Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry.
UAE embassies do not issue tourist visas; visa-required travellers apply online through ICP or GDRFA Dubai, or via a UAE-based airline, hotel or licensed travel agent.
The 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa requires a bank balance of USD 4,000 (or equivalent) over the past six months, UAE-valid health insurance and a return or onward ticket.
GCC residents need an eVisa before arrival: 30 days' stay, extendable once, with GCC residency valid for at least 1 year and a passport valid 6 months.

Official source: UAE Government portal (u.ae) / Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) · Not yet confirmed officially: voa.fee and voa.stay: visa-on-arrival country list, stay length (30 or 90 days) and cost not shown on the page read, evisa.fee: short-term tourist visa fees by channel, recentChanges: none confirmed on the official pages read

What South Africa passport holders need to do

Apply on the destination's official e-Visa portal.
Upload a passport scan and a photo, then pay the fee online.
Save or print the approved e-Visa and present it at the border.

South Africa is one of 110 passports in the “e-visa” group for the United Arab Emirates. See the full United Arab Emirates visa requirements for every passport.

Easier alternatives in Asia for South Africa passport holders

The United Arab Emirates is one of 29 destinations in the “e-visa” group for the South Africa passport, which ranks #43 worldwide with a mobility score of 98. Of 50 destinations in Asia, 26 need no visa arranged in advance; the easiest are listed below.

Destination	Requirement	Max stay
Georgia	Visa-free	360 days
Hong Kong	Visa-free	30 days
Israel	Visa-free	90 days
Macau	Visa-free	30 days
Malaysia	Visa-free	90 days
Palestine	Visa-free	–
Philippines	Visa-free	30 days
Singapore	Visa-free	30 days
Thailand	Visa-free	60 days
Armenia	Visa on arrival	–
Cambodia	Visa on arrival	–
Indonesia	Visa on arrival	–

All visa-free countries for the South Africa passport

Frequently asked questions

Do South African citizens need a visa for the United Arab Emirates?

South Africa passport holders need a visa for the United Arab Emirates, and it can be applied for online as an e-Visa.

Can South African citizens apply for the United Arab Emirates visa online?

Yes. South Africa passport holders are eligible for an e-Visa to the United Arab Emirates, so the application can be completed online without visiting an embassy.

Do United Arab Emirates citizens need a visa for South Africa?

United Arab Emirates passport holders can enter South Africa without a visa for up to 90 days.

United Arab Emirates visa requirements for other passports

Data last updated February 2026. This page covers short visits such as tourism. Rules can change at short notice and differ for work, study or long stays. Confirm with the embassy or official immigration website of the United Arab Emirates before you book.